Pakistan train hijack: 16 militants among 26 killed, 104 hostages freed

Pakistani security forces launched a massive operation on Tuesday, killing at least 16 militants after armed men attacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express in Balochistan's Bolan district. The attackers hijacked the train, taking over 450 passengers, including security personnel, hostage. 

Ten people, including the train's driver—who was the first victim of the assault—were killed in the attack. Nine of the victims were security personnel, Imran Hayat, a senior railway official, told CNN.

Security sources confirmed that 104 hostages— 53 men, 26 women, and 11 children— were freed. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned group, claimed responsibility for the attack.

This was the first instance in Pakistan’s history of armed men hijacking an entire train and taking all passengers onboard hostage.

After receiving reports of the attack, security forces proceeded to the area, facing significant challenges due to the difficult terrain. They successfully cordoned off the area.

Sources also confirmed that the terrorists behind the attack were in contact with their mastermind in Afghanistan via satellite phones. As security forces moved in, the attackers were fragmented into smaller groups.

The train had departed from Quetta Railway Station around 9:00 am, carrying over 450 passengers in nine coaches, including women and children. Around 1:00 pm, officials learned that the train had been attacked between the Paneer and Peshi railway stations near Tunnel No. 8.

"Armed men fired rockets at the locomotive and opened fire, causing the train to stop. The driver was seriously injured," said railway officials. A heavy exchange of fire occurred between the attackers and security personnel, who were aboard the train. After killing several security officers, the militants took control of the train, held all passengers hostage, and began identifying them by checking their national identity cards. Some passengers were taken away.

The attackers also planted explosives to destroy the railway track, which suspended train services between Quetta and the rest of the country. The Jaffar Express from Peshawar to Quetta was halted at Sibi Railway Station.

A large-scale rescue operation, conducted with extreme caution, continued in the area, freeing around 104 passengers. These hostages were transported to the nearby Paneer Railway Station. Seventeen injured individuals were moved to the hospital, while more hostages were freed and transferred to a safe location to continue their journey to Quetta on a relief train.

Railway officials noted that 750 passengers were booked on the Jaffar Express, but only about 450 were aboard at the time of the attack. Over 200 security personnel were also among the passengers.

Authorities confirmed that the operation was still ongoing, with more Frontier Corps (North) troops deployed to the area. The Frontier Corps Inspector General, along with Special Services Group (SSG) personnel, is leading the operation, which includes the use of helicopters. "We will continue the operation until the last terrorist is eliminated," said security officials.